Brett Favre's Decision Is Great Relief for Packer Fans ... for Now

Brett Favre had an illustrious career in Green Bay. For whatever reason, though, things didn't work out well for him when the Packers hired Ted Thompson as general manager in 2005. Favre's retirement and subsequent comeback with the Jets in 2008 led to support from Packer fans, who found it easy to cheer for a hero whose team would not play the Packers unless it was in the Super Bowl.

When it started to seem like Favre -- a Packer for 16 years -- would indeed play for the rival Minnesota Vikings this season, there were some understandable emotions (many of them negative) from Packer fans. Tuesday's announcement that Favre will remain retired should bring them much relief ... unless Favre again changes his mind.

We'd all like to believe Favre. Standing alone, his remarks to ESPN's Ed Werder about his body potentially not being able to hold up are totally valid. Give the man credit, because there have been plenty of legends in all sports who have talked themselves into thinking their body could hold up through the rigors of a regular season.

Many of them have been proven wrong. Cognizant of this, Favre has decided it would be smart to not even test his 39-year-old body (he'll turn 40 in October).

Again, on its surface, taken at face value, Favre makes complete sense, and his candor is appreciated.

For a Packers fan, Tuesday's announcement had to be a huge relief. Even though many had talked themselves into hoping Favre would sign with the Vikings, it was a sore subject. It was a great opportunity for Vikings fans to needle their border rivals. Favre had a chance for another disastrous ending, but he also had a shot at redemption, with no reason to worry about the offensive line, running game, defense or weather (the Vikings play just two potential cold-weather games all season).

And that redemption would be coming at the expense of his longtime team, the Packers.

It was too much for many to take, and it seemed like a certainty.

Favre, of course, is hardly a predictable gentleman, and he threw the Vikings a curveball on this day. Minnesota has two capable quarterbacks, so it's not like they're completely screwed as training camp opens Friday in Mankato, about an hour southwest of the Twin Cities.

While Packer fans have every reason to be relieved now, they have to know better. Not only is this Brett Favre we're talking about, but there are already rumblings about Favre's future workout regimen. He reportedly told NFL Network's Steve Mariucci -- a close friend -- that he's going to continue throwing.

Of course, he wouldn't be the first retired NFL player to work out and stay in shape. After all, Jeff George continues to work out, and he's 41. Oh, and he hasn't played in the NFL since 2001.

Then again, George has never formally announced his retirement. Twice.

But this is Brett Favre. Whenever he's spotted in a gym or found throwing footballs to bug-eyed high school kids, the news will bring more skepticism. It might not be fair to Favre, who could very well have retired for real this time, but it's how life works when you've flip-flopped on retirement as much as he has. It's simply not right for Favre or his supporters to expect his latest decision will be taken seriously. Even an honest attempt to keep the body in shape will raise eyebrows.

If Packer fans were truly, sincerely concerned about the guy who led their team to so many wins over 16 years joining a major division rival, they might be able to let their guard down a bit. It sounds like the Vikings may have moved on from Favre, and while anything's possible, it's likely a safe bet that the door is closed on Favre potentially joining the Vikings.

Or maybe it isn't.